Trustee volunteer roles in london

Two in three of us will become carers. Bring your expertise to the Board of Carers First and help support and champion the UK’s millions of unpaid carers.

Location: Hybrid with some meetings in London

At Carers First, we have been working alongside unpaid carers for over 30 years, helping them find balance and live life to the fullest. With an estimated 5.7 million unpaid carers in the UK, the need for our work has never been greater. We are looking for three new Trustees to join our Board and play a vital role in shaping our future. We are particularly looking for people with expertise in:

• Fundraising and income generation
• Legal
• Digital strategy (including AI and technology to enhance user experience).

As a Trustee, you will join a committed and diverse Board, ensuring our strategy and resources make the greatest possible difference to the lives of carers. You’ll bring your skills, experience, and values to support our work in providing support for carers, with carers, so they can lead fulfilling lives.

Who we are

Carers First is a dedicated charity supporting unpaid carers across England, helping them navigate the challenges of caring while maintaining balance in their own lives. We provide personalised information and tailored support in the way that suits them: online, on the phone, or face-to-face, in their local community.

Recognising that each caring journey is unique, Carers First works collaboratively with local councils, communities, and volunteers to deliver inclusive, accessible services. Our mission is to empower carers, and our impact is significant. Last year, we reached over 330,000 people to provide information about caring and 51,000 carers are registered with us to receive information and support. In addition:

• 96% of carers felt more resilient in their caring role after our support.
• 95% of carers felt listened to and that their own needs were taken into account through our interventions.
• 93% of carers felt more confident and informed in their caring role after our support.

Guided by values of positivity, collaboration and ambition, Carers First continues to innovate and expand its reach, championing the needs of carers nationwide.

About the role

As a Trustee, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of unpaid carers, ensuring that our work aligns with our mission and that our resources are used wisely and effectively. You will join a Board with a strong mix of skills and experience, including finance, communications, business, and health and social care.

In this role, you will play a vital part in shaping the strategic direction and governance of the charity, helping us deliver support to unpaid carers effectively and sustainably. You will be part of a committed Board that meets quarterly and is supported by two committees: Finance & Risk and People & Governance, one of which you will join.

Using your expertise, you will advise on key issues, support new initiatives, and help the organisation innovate and grow. Your impact will be felt directly by the carers we support, ensuring our services remain inclusive and accessible, our resources are managed responsibly, and our work continues to make a meaningful difference in carers’ lives.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for individuals who have a strong commitment to our cause and a genuine passion for supporting the needs of carers, while upholding the values that guide our work. In addition to the skills we are looking for, we seek people with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to explore diverse perspectives, foster inclusive discussions, and make timely, well-informed decisions.

We are actively committed to increasing the diversity of our teams and welcome applications from all sectors, backgrounds and sections of the community. If you have caring responsibilities, then we welcome and value your experience and will be as flexible and accommodating as possible around your needs.

• Time Commitment

The Board meets quarterly, with an additional annual Development and Strategic Planning Day. Our two committees, Finance & Risk and People & Governance, also meet quarterly. Most meetings are online. One Board meeting and one Development Day are held in London. Trustees should expect to commit the equivalent of circa one day a month for meetings, preparation, Board development, engagement with staff and carers, recruitment activities, professional development, and occasional public events.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close Friday 14th November.

Do you have senior clinical service experience and a passion to improve the lives of people with a life-limiting illness and their families?

We are looking for applicants with health care experience at a senior management or board level. As a member of the Board of Trustees this position will support the Executive Board to deliver our organisational strategy and ensure that our Charity has in place appropriate and effective controls to deliver outstanding standards of care and services to all stakeholders.

Key skills and experience for this Trustee role

• Extensive health service experience at leadership level in either primary or secondary care

• Clinical experience in community care with shown ability to enable change management

• Quality standards and requirements of the Care Quality Commission

• Ideally, active in clinical practice

• Safeguarding (adults and children), risk management and data management

• Keen interest in professional education, research and development

• Developments within the field of palliative care

About the organisation

Salterns Academy Trust is a flourishing community of three schools committed to providing exceptional education and opportunities for every young person in our care. We are a collaborative family of schools focused on driving continuous improvement for all our learners and staff., We are now seeking additional Trustees to join our Board and help shape the next phase of our journey.

We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic. We are proud to champion equality, diversity, and inclusion in all that we do. We encourage applications from a wide range of professional fields and backgrounds. As part of our Board’s succession planning, expertise in Estates, IT and Facilities, Secondary Education, or Legal fields would help to strengthen and balance our collective experience. While being local to Portsmouth is not a requirement, an understanding of the local context would be advantageous.

As a Trustee, you will guide the Trust’s strategic direction, ensuring effective oversight and supporting our mission to deliver high-quality education across all our schools. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference in local education and contribute to the success of a forward-looking Trust.

The Trust oversees two secondary settings, Admiral Lord Nelson School and Trafalgar School, as well as Mayfield School, which is a through-school serving pupils aged 4 to 16. Together, these schools form a close-knit community that values inclusion, ambition, and continuous improvement.

Since our formation, the Trust has built a strong reputation for partnership working, effective leadership, and steady school improvement. Each school retains its own identity while benefiting from the collective strength, shared expertise, and resources of the wider Trust. The focus is firmly on delivering high-quality teaching and learning, fostering aspiration, and ensuring that all students are well-prepared for the next stage of their education and beyond.

Underpinned by values of respect, responsibility, and resilience, Salterns Academy Trust is forward-looking and community-minded, working closely with local partners and families to make a lasting, positive difference. The Trust benefits from an experienced and dedicated leadership team, continues to build on its successes and strives to provide the very best outcomes for children and young people across Portsmouth.

About the role

Time commitment: 8 hours / 1 day a month

Trustees work collectively to provide strong governance, effective oversight, and constructive challenge to the executive team. You will use your professional expertise and strategic insight to help us maintain high standards of performance, financial sustainability, and educational excellence as it continues to evolve and expand.

In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic oversight and governance as Salterns Academy Trust continues to develop into the primary education sector.
• Offer insights and guidance based on your experience to ensure the highest standards of teaching and learning.
• Support the development and implementation of policies that promote a nurturing and inclusive environment for primary school students.
• Collaborate with fellow trustees, the executive team, and school leaders to drive continuous improvement and innovation.
• Champion the Trust’s vision, mission, and values within the community and among stakeholders.
• Attend evening Board meetings (up to 6 per year) and committee meetings (up to 6 a year), as well as occasionally undertake school visits and meetings with senior leaders in

Who we are looking for

We are seeking individuals with the vision, integrity, and strategic insight to contribute to the continued success and growth of the Trust. The ideal candidate will bring professional expertise, sound judgment, and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people. You do not need prior board experience; what matters most is the ability to think strategically, ask constructive questions, and share your experience in a way that supports the Trust’s development.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• Strategic thinking skills with the ability to contribute to long-term planning and development.
• Strong commitment to educational equity and a passion for making a positive impact on children’s lives.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Professional expertise in areas such as Estates, IT and Facilities, Secondary Education, or Legal services, though other relevant backgrounds will also be considered.
• Integrity, independence of thought, and the confidence to both support and challenge constructively.

This is an opportunity to apply your skills and experience to help shape the future of a forward-looking, values-driven Trust.

Please click 'Apply’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 8th December

We’re looking for people who care deeply about making a difference, people who want to help shape a more compassionate, care-centred future for the performing arts.

Our aim is to build a Board that truly represents the people we serve — in background, identity, experience, and voice. We want everyone to feel that they belong and can play a meaningful part in our work.

We know that joining a Board can sometimes feel daunting, so we’re committed to removing barriers and offering the support you need to take part fully and confidently.

We especially welcome people with lived experience that reflects the realities of care — whether you’re a carer or young carer, a young person, or someone from a background or identity that’s often under-represented in leadership.

Your insights, your story, and your perspective are invaluable in helping us shape a more inclusive and responsive organisation — one that truly reflects and serves the communities around us.

If you’re passionate about what we do and ready to bring your experience and ideas to help lead positive change, we’d love to hear from you.

For full details of the role and how to apply, please download the Job Pack from our website.

Application closes: Monday 24th November 2025, 11:00

Be Enriched is seeking an inspirational Chairperson to lead our Board of Trustees and guide our next phase of strategic growth. We use food as a tool to bring people together, cultivate joy and dignity whilst fighting food waste and nourishing the community.

What will you be doing?

The Chair plays a pivotal role in guiding the board, ensuring the charity is governed effectively and remains true to our vision and mission. With an inclusive leadership style, the Chair will foster a collaborative atmosphere within the board, while offering both support and constructive challenge to the CEO. Additionally, the Chair serves as a passionate ambassador for the charity, representing its values and goals.

What are we looking for?

Essential Qualities

• Proven experience as a trustee, with a passion for governance and making a difference - prior Chair experience is welcome but not required.
• A keen sense of strategic purpose.
• An inclusive leadership style.
• The ability to listen and engage. Comfortable with challenge and debate and can encourage that in others whist fostering a collaborative board environment. 
• Advocate – be able and willing to champion Be Enriched’s work through personal networks, social media, and other channels.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Be proactive and responsive – as a small charity, there are times when issues arise that require the Chair's guidance, support, or approval. 

What difference will you make?

Since 2013, we have been dedicated to enriching our communities through food. Our work tackles critical issues head-on: alleviating food poverty, combating social isolation, and empowering individuals through practical skills training. We believe in the power of food to bring people together, share knowledge, and cultivate lasting connections. 

As Chair, you will play a pivotal role in steering our strategy, working closely with an active and committed Board and our dedicated staff team. You will help us navigate being a charity in an increasingly tough climate. This is a unique opportunity to leverage your leadership skills to strengthen our impact and ensure the long-term sustainability of our vital community services. 

Help shape the future of cleft care worldwide – become a Fundraising Trustee at CLEFT.
Are you an experienced fundraiser looking to make a meaningful difference? Join a passionate Board of Trustees committed to improving cleft care and research in the UK and internationally.

CLEFT is a UK-based charity working to bridge the gap in cleft care and knowledge through sustainable, long-term partnerships. As we grow, fundraising has become a strategic priority – and we’re looking for a new Trustee with fundraising expertise to help us reach the next level.

As Fundraising Trustee, you’ll play a key role in:

• Strengthening relationships with donors and supporters
• Identifying and progressing new grant and fundraising opportunities
• Supporting fundraising committees and events
• Developing and coordinating a fundraising plan aligned with our budget and goals
• Ensuring donor reporting and compliance with fundraising legislation

You’ll also contribute to the wider governance and strategic direction of the charity, attending bi-monthly Board meetings (mostly via Zoom), quarterly fundraising committee meetings, and our annual Away Day in London.

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities. If you’re proactive, creative, and passionate about equitable healthcare, we’d love to hear from you.

Do you have experience in higher education, curriculum/qualification design, workforce skills development and/or apprenticeships? Would you like to contribute to shaping the future of youth work by joining a Board?

The Role

In partnership with TPP, NYA invites applications for the role of Trustee and Chair of the ETS Committee – a key sub-committee responsible for maintaining exemplary standards in youth work qualifications and training routes across England.

As a Trustee at the National Youth Agency (NYA), you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of youth work in England.

Trustees are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation, ensuring its financial stability, and upholding the highest standards of governance. By joining the NYA Board, you will have the opportunity to leverage your expertise and passion for youth work to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people.

We are now seeking a strategic, passionate individual to join their Board as a Trustee and, in addition as Chair of their Education & Training Standards (ETS) Committee. Your leadership will be vital to ensuring that youth work qualifications remain rigorous, inclusive, and future-focused.

About the National Youth Agency (NYA)

The National Youth Agency (NYA) is the Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body for youth work in England. They champion the sector through advocacy, research, and the delivery of pioneering programmes, while upholding the highest standards for professional youth work qualifications. As the recognised authority for youth work, NYA leads on setting and maintaining the profession’s standards.

Responsibilities

As Chair, your responsibilities will include:

• Leading ETS Committee meetings (four times per year) and associated working groups
• Overseeing validation events for youth work qualifications
• Collaborating closely with NYA’s Head of Workforce Development and ETS Officer
• Representing the ETS Committee at national forums, including JETS
• Reporting regularly to the NYA Board on committee activity and sector developments

What You’ll Gain

• The chance to contribute to the success of a national charity shaping the future of youth work
• Opportunities to leverage your strategic expertise for meaningful, lasting impact
• Engagement with professionals and leaders from diverse sectors
• Commitment to your ongoing board development, including full induction
• Reimbursement of travel and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses

About You:

We welcome applications from candidates who bring:

• Thorough understanding of the National Occupational Standards and qualifications framework and how these relate to workforce development, professional pathways and quality assurance
• Demonstrates a strong passion for young people and youth work, with a clear commitment to workforce and skills development, and to strengthening the profession within its wider social and policy context.
• Strategic vision and board-level experience
• Dedication to diversity, inclusion, and NYA’s mission
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to challenge constructively

We particularly encourage applicants who will enhance the diversity of our Board and ETS Committee to better reflect the communities and young people we serve.

Time Commitment

The Trustee Board meets approximately 4x per year. The ETS Committee meets approximately 4x per year. In addition to above meetings, a commitment equating to approximate 10 days’ worth of time will be required (not necessarily full day commitments – this is the total time commitment)

Note: This role is subject to all relevant child protection legislation and NYA’s safeguarding policies for individuals working with children and adults at risk.

*Deadline extended to 5.00pm on 17th November 2025*

How to Apply

NYA are working in partnership with TPP. To express your interest, please reply to this advert with an up-to-date CV. 

Upon enquiry, you will receive a link the microsite with details about the role and recruitment process. The team is available for a confidential discussion should you have any questions about the opportunity.

Join the Board of Via, the charity delivering vital person-centred and well-being care to people and communities affected by substance use across the UK.

Applications for this role close Monday 10th November.

Location: Flexible (Via has services across London, NW England and SW England)

Who we are

Via is an exceptional charity that puts people at the heart of everything we do. Over three decades, we’ve evolved from our origins as Westminster Drug Project, with a new now award-winning name and brand, into a dynamic, multi-service organisation delivering vital support across substance use, mental health, employment, sexual health, smoking cessation and youth services. With a turnover of £36m for 24/25 and remarkable growth of over a third in 2023/24, we’re now supporting over 12,500 service users annually across an expanding geographical footprint from London to Gloucestershire.

Our commitment to excellence and innovation is evident in our industry-leading services, which consistently perform significantly above the national average. We’re particularly proud to be pioneering the development of the UK’s first women-only detox facility, demonstrating our commitment to addressing crucial gaps in service provision.

Our Approach Makes Us Different

At Via, we believe in doing things differently. This starts with our commitment to staff well-being, including up to six months of full sick pay – a policy that exemplifies our trust in our people and our understanding that supporting our staff enables them to better support our service users. We achieved Investors in People Gold certification and were nominated for UK Employer of the Year and Third Sector Employer of the Year at the Investors in People Awards 2024, recognising our dedication to creating an outstanding workplace culture.

Our active Diversity, Equity and Inclusion group drives real organisational change, ensuring our services are accessible and effective for all communities. These aren’t just initiatives; they’re expressions of our core values: Care, Be Human, and Do the Right Thing, which guide everything we do.

The opportunity

As we have experienced growth and welcomed a new Chair to the Board, we are looking to appoint new Trustees. We are looking for three dedicated trustees to join our Board, each bringing distinct expertise to support our next strategic phase. We are particularly looking for trustees with:

• clinical experience in substance misuse or mental health services, who can provide valuable insights into clinical risk and governance, and service delivery.
• HR expertise, specifically in organisational development, who can guide our people strategy and support our workforce development initiatives.
• legal expertise, ideally someone with in-house legal experience who understands corporate operational challenges and can provide challenge and support.

These roles offer the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while contributing your professional expertise to advance our strategic objectives and ensure we deliver the highest quality services to those we support.

This is an exciting time to join with a new Chair, and next summer we will begin to plan our next strategy.

Diversity in governance isn’t just a goal for Via – it’s a necessity. Our services support people from every part of society, and we want our Board to reflect this diversity. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of addiction/recovery (whether personal or as family members/carers), and people from communities currently underrepresented at board level.

• Time Commitment: The equivalent of a day a month

The Board meets quarterly, usually in person. Including preparation time, representation at events, and strategic input, we estimate a commitment of the equivalent of a day per month. This includes:

• Four Board meetings per year
• Quarterly committee meetings
• Annual strategy away day
• Preparation for meetings
• Ad hoc conversations with fellow board members and the Executive
• Occasional representation at events and meetings with key stakeholders, including at services.

Making a Difference Together

This is an extraordinary time to join Via as we expand our geographical reach, innovate our evidence-based offer and increase access to more people. We’re not just growing – we’re evolving. You’ll help shape innovative services like our women’s detox facility while ensuring we maintain our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and person-centred care.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close Monday 10th November.

Join the Board of The Gestalt Centre as a Chair, and help shape their ambitious growth strategy with the life-changing approach to counselling, psychotherapy and organisational development.

Applications close at 9 a.m. Monday 24th November.

Time commitment: Trustee: On average one day per month. Chair: On average two to three days per month.

About The Gestalt Centre

The Gestalt Centre is an established educational and therapy charity, supporting the mental and psychological well-being of individuals, groups, and organisations.

Gestalt is a humanistic life-changing approach to life, counselling and psychotherapy. It enables people and organisations to manage change, develop meaningful relationships and lead fulfilling lives by creatively utilising their own resources, skills and strengths.

We are a dynamic organisation and run several accredited counselling and psychotherapy courses, along with professional development programmes for practitioners and organisations. We also offer affordable therapy and counselling and are a hub for a range of health and wellbeing practices for people in the community.

We value awareness and change, collaborative working, diversity and the view that we are all connected and therefore together responsible for our communities.

About the roles

The Gestalt Centre is a registered charity with a Board of Trustees and a Board of Directors. The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the organisation carries out its purposes and for overall planning and good governance. The Directors (executive and non-executive) make decisions about strategy, the running of the organisation and oversee the work of the Psychotherapy faculty, the Counselling faculty and the management team.

Who we are looking for

• Chair of the Board of Trustees

Joining a newly refreshed Board, having just appointed five new Trustees, you will have the opportunity to help develop the strategy and direct the work of TGC.

The Chair will lead the Board of Trustees by working closely and constructively with the Chief Executive and Trustees to ensure the good governance of TGC. The Chair will lead Trustees to provide appropriate strategic input and oversight to ensure TGC is effective, innovative and continues to evolve to deliver TGC’s charitable objectives.

With a people-focused leadership style, you will support new trustees to connect to their roles and build an increasingly cohesive Board team. Leadership experience within a small, agile charity or a therapy-related organisation would be valuable, as you’ll have experience of adapting to shifting priorities and effectively reprioritising as circumstances change. You’ll use your experience to support the CEO and foster strong alignment between the executive team and the Board, helping to ensure the organisation works together as a cohesive team.

• Trustee (property experience)

We are also looking for an additional Trustee with knowledge of the property world and lease management. Alongside the other duties of a Trustee you will provide professional advice as we face the renewal of our lease and explore options regarding renewing/moving.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 24th November.

Crossness Pumping Station (overseen by the Crossness Engines Trust) is a unique and valuable museum of UK and world reknown telling the history of how the ambitious management of sewage transformed London as a city of growth and innovation in the 1860s and helped eradicate cholera. Preserved and restored by a group of enthusiasts since 1987, we are now entering a second phase of major restoration and we need visionary trustees who can help us achieve it.

This role is one of three we have created for experts in their field to help us implement a major programme over the next 5-10 years. It really is your chance to be part of our history!

As well as the usual trustee roles (outlined in the role description attached) the specific skills needed for this role include:

Role Objectives

• Acting as lead expert on the Board in relation to fundraising (eg grant funding, legacy funding, onsite donations, but not commercial trading/visitor charges).
• Advising on good practice and regulatory and policy issues in charity fundraising.
• Identifying future fundraising prospects and working with volunteers to achieve these.

Responsibilities

• Work with a volunteer lead/team on identifying future funding sources from grant-making bodies.
• Develop a fundraising strategy with volunteers.
• Develop corporate fundraising targets with other trustees.
• Investigate legacy fundraising and other visitor/member/donor opportunities.

Candidate requirements

 Essential

• Proven success in heritage or similar charity fundraising.
• Good knowledge of the standards required by the Institute of Fundraising.
• Ability to develop fundraising skills in volunteers.
• Good knowledge of relevant stakeholders in the fundraising community.
• Excellent communication skills including with staff and volunteers as well as fellow trustees.
• An understanding of the importance of collaboration and problem-solving.
• Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office 365.
• Commitment to attend board meetings regularly and volunteer for other sub-committees as appropriate.
• Able to devote around 2-3 hours per week on preparing for meetings.
• Treating colleagues with respect and politeness.

Desirable

• Experience in the charity sector.
• Experience as a volunteer in a similar organisation.
• Experience in Digital, Marketing and Finance would also be useful.

Arvon, the UK's oldest and most celebrated creative writing charity, is recruiting up to two finance trustees to join its dynamic board and help shape the charity's future. If you have a passion for the arts and literature, and believe in the positive, even transformative impact creative engagement can have for everyone, then we'd love to hear from you. We have run creative writing courses for young people, disadvantaged adults and the general public at our three writing houses – located in beautiful rural settings across England and now also online – for nearly 60 years. This is an opportunity to play a part in supporting and influencing the future of a unique charity at a time of exciting change.

We are seeking a passionate and committed individual with clinical expertise to join our Board of Trustees – people who share our values and vision, and are ready to help drive strategic decision-making and ensure our continued success and impact, making a meaningful difference through our work supporting disabled people to live with greater independence.

Designability is a national charity that, for over 50 years, has created equality of opportunity for disabled people by removing barriers to independence, enabling them to live the life they choose.

Following a person-centred design approach, and by including disabled people at each point of the design process, we ensure their ideas and lived experiences are taken on board and that what we create reflects people’s needs as well as products and services they want to use. We are best known for the iconic Wizzybug powered wheelchairs for very young disabled children. To date, they have been loaned to over 1,400 children, typically aged between 14 months and 5 years, across the UK completed free of charge thanks to the support of our generous donors.

Our Trustees actively contribute to the Board of Trustees by giving firm strategic direction to Designability, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets.

We are recruiting a new trustee to bring further clinical excellence to our Board. This is a voluntary, unpaid role with reimbursed expenses and a structured induction programme.

We would welcome candidates with experience in any of the following areas:

• A leadership role, relating to clinical delivery, or clinical trials and research involving medical devices.
• Assessing organisational risk and accountability, and implementation of mitigations in a clinical setting.
• Delivery of strategy or change management in a clinical setting.  
• Significant experience of working with disabled people, including experience gained through a senior position in occupational therapy, physiotherapy, rehabilitation engineering or rehabilitation medicine.
• Experience in Early Years Powered Mobility, wheelchair services or provision of medical devices
• Experience of clinical governance.

You will be joining an independent, national charity based in Bath. Our creative and inspiring team includes engineers, technicians, product designers, occupational therapists, fundraisers and administrators. We are led by strong values: we are creative, inclusive and practical, with our vision being to create a future where every disabled person has the products they want to live the life they choose. 

Closing Date for applications: 28th November

Interview date: Successful applicants will be offered a mutually convenient interview date, following the closing date.

Trustee for Home-Start Wokingham District

Do you want to help us improve the lives of parents and young children in Wokingham and surrounding areas?

You could be a trustee for Home-Start Wokingham District, an local charity that gives every child the best possible start in life.

 Set up in 1996, we offer “a lifeline”, a free family support service to families with at least one child under the age of five, provided by volunteers who are parents themselves, to support other parents. That home visiting service is unique in Wokingham Borough, providing compassionate, confidential and non-judgmental help and friendship to local parents struggling to cope with the daily challenges of family life.

We are affiliated to national Home-Start UK, but we are an independent local charity responsible for our own governance and securing our own funding.

We are looking for new trustees to join our Board, as our longer-standing trustees stand down.

What we are looking for in a new trustee

Trustees are the people who make the top-level decisions for our charity. Our Board includes people with experience and skills in early years, education and business. We’d expect new trustees to have empathy with our cause and our beneficiaries.

We are looking to refresh our Board as some of the trustees who’ve governed us for a while now stand down. If you can think strategically and help us plan long-term, you have the primary skills needed by our trustees and will work collectively with all other Board members. Support from our paid employees is always available, as they will be dealing with the day-to-day running of the organisation.

You don’t necessarily need prior experience of charity trusteeship, as support from local charity-support organisations is always available.  Full induction to our organisation will be provided, plus specialist support as a new trustee, including access to external training.

We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for people from a variety of backgrounds to join our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our board, in all meanings of the word, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups. 

We ask for about ten hours of your time per month, which includes all meetings, discussions, etc., many of which are held online. You’ll need access to digital communications, as much of our charity’s business is run that way.

How to apply  

This appointment is being managed for us by inVOLve Community Services, a charity-support organisation, who offer a no-obligation discussion by video. A detailed Role Description and Person Specification can be made available to you upon request.

Trustee appointments are subject to satisfactory references, to completion of an online Safeguarding course and an Enhanced DBS check. 

Your CV or similar will be read by our existing trustees, and an interview offered as soon as mutually convenient.

I need to know more 

Contact Mike Allen via Quick Apply, below, for more information and arrange to have a no-obligation initial informal discussion (Teams or Zoom).

Home-Start Suffolk is seeking an exceptional individual to join our Board of Trustees as Vice Chair.
This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role in a well-established and growing charity that
supports families across Suffolk. As Vice Chair, you will work closely with the Chair, CEO and wider Board to
help shape our strategic direction, support strong governance and ensure we continue to meet the needs of
families in our communities.

We are specifically looking for someone with charity governance experience. You will bring a solid
understanding of how effective boards operate and feel confident supporting other trustees, offering
constructive challenge and helping to ensure the charity meets its legal and strategic responsibilities.
This Vice Chair role is part of our wider trustee recruitment and we welcome applicants who bring any of the
following:

• Experience or knowledge of the local charity or voluntary sector
• Understanding of family support or volunteer management
• Strong networks and connections within local businesses
• Previous involvement with Home-Start Suffolk as a volunteer or someone who has received support
• A passion for making a difference in your community

Interested?
We would love to hear from you. more information and a candidate pack can be found on our website.

Closing date: This is an open and rolling recruitment
Interviews: Held as applications are received